Corona Devotionals

Good day!!  It is officially "springtime"!  Time to spring-forward today!  Well, ok, t he official " astronomical" start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere (this year) technically occurs on March 20th at 10:46 AM (Eastern)...but where I live, last night was the time to "spring forward" with our clocks, and so, I consider losing an hour of sleep by "springing-forward" the start of Spring.  And regardless of whether we feel that "springtime" begins today or in a few days, the fact remains that (like it or not), Spring is upon us. What are we going to do about that?   The Bible (God's Word) has a word for us about "springtime" today.  (Timely, isn't it?)  And judging by our Heavenly Father's track record, His timing is no coincidence.  It's spring time.  Is it time to "spring-forward" with something/some plan/some idea/someone/some mission that the Lord has set before us?   How are we responding? In th...

I was just putting the finishing touches and final spices into my crock pot recipe, when I realized I was out of paprika !  I searched my spice cupboard... no paprika.   I searched my pantry... no paprika .  I was almost late for work...and I needed paprika. I am usually pretty diligent about putting ingredients on my shopping list that I am almost out of, but apparently this time I had digressed.   How I needed some papri... And then there it was. In the way back of my spice cupboard, hidden by other bottles..there was a cylinder (recipe-saving) bottle of paprika, standing tall and in reserve for just this moment. I was so grateful that I had a bottle stored up. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;  ( 20)  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  ( 21)  For where your treasu...

What is your favorite part of the "mix" in Chex Mix? There are the crispy, light Chex-cereal pillows, that when baked with the butter and Chex Mix spices become little salty explosions when we munch them. Is the Chex cereal the best part of Chex Mix, in our opinion? But, wait...what about the pretzels?  More dense, and a more solid and deep crunch--the pretzels add heft to the Mix. Are the pretzels the best part of Chex Mix, in our opinion? I personally really enjoy the nuts.  You might find peanuts or almonds or even walnuts baked in a batch of Chex Mix, and something about the extra roasting with all those spices makes the nuts in Chex Mix  dee-lish! Are the nuts the best part of Chex Mix, in our opinion? The neat (and delicious) thing about Chex Mix is that there can be so many variables.  Add in some Cheez-Its for a twist, or maybe pumpernickel chip rounds, and oyster crackers even made it into my batch the other night.   As it turns out, when you pour ...

The Lord knew  what was happening   (when we had no idea what was happening). The Lord knows the purpose of what we face today (even as we beg Him to remove us from it). The Lord is always at work  and in control: (yesterday...today...and He will still be at work in our lives and in control of them tomorrow). So...why the hardships?  Why the trials?  Why the diseases and handicaps and suffering? So...why the injustice and unfairness and persecution ?   Why all of the lies and trickery and false-gods of this world? Why is life (so often) an uphill battle?   Are we asking that today? Did we ask it yesterday?   Let's turn to the Bible so that we do not have to ask it tomorrow. Psalm 129:1-8 From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me.   Let all Israel repeat this: ( 2)  From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me,  but they have never defeated me.  ( 3)  My back is covered with cuts, ...

It's interesting, we don't have to be taught how to discourage someone...when we are hurt or jealous or even feeling insecure: the digs are dished, and the gossip just gushes.  We get defensive, and the verbal daggers fly almost involuntarily. And we've been on the receiving end of those jabs too.  When someone lashes out (verbally, online, etc) it's like a lead-weight is tied to our heart, and the discouragement is real.  Sticks and stones can break our bones, and words will also  hurt us.   It's easy to discourage someone, and (we all know), it's easy to be discouraged. But what if... We studied some instructions on how to be an encourager. What if we took a shot at seeking and embodying  justice  today?   Let's  establish fairness  in our affairs today.   How about we react and align with  righteousness  today.   What if we praised the Lord for his  mighty, just, fair, and righteous ...